Package



Dec. 12,1939.

. PERCY P. SANFORD ATTORNEY.

Patented Dec. 12, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

This invention relates to improvements in packages, and more particularly to a collapsible frame for maintaining the form of transparent packages for cut flowers.

Among the objects of the invention is to provide a wire frame collapsible for space economy when not in use, but which is not collapsible when enclosed within a wrapping sheet.

Another object is to make a frame that will contribute to the ornamental appearance of a package when enclosed within a transparent sheet such as cellulose acetate, known under the trade name of Cellophane.

Another object is to provide such a frame with unobtrusive means for preventing collapsing when in use.

Other objects and advantages will appear as the description progresses.

In this specification and the accompanying drawing, the invention is disclosed in its preferred form, but it is to be understood that it is not limited to this form because it may be embodied in other forms within the spirit of theinvention as defined in the claim following the description.

In the one sheet of drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a relatively shallow, transparent package constructed and arranged in accordance with this invention.

Fig. 2 is a similar view of the same arranged to be used as a deep package.

Fig. 3 is a similar view in fragmentary enlarged detail showing the pivotal wire frame in the collapsed condition.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary enlarged detail showing a modified means of preventing the collapsibility of the frame.

In detail, the construction illustrated in the drawing, referring first to Fig. 1, comprises a plurality of wire loops alike in size and construction, each having the ends I and 2, the sides 3 and 4.. The ends of the wire forming the loop are spot welded so that the loops will maintain their shape in use. The intersecting ends ll and 22 are flattened where they overlap and are secured together by the rivets 5 and 6 respectively which hold the loops in operative relation to each other so that they may be collapsed,

as in Fig. 3, for convenience in storing within minimal space. The fine stay wire I has its opposite ends 8 and 9 attached across the loops between the ad acent sides 3 and 4, as in Fig. 1, to form a relatively wide shallow package. If it is desired to form a narrow and deep package, as in Fig. 2, the wire extends between the sides 44 to prevent collapsing of the extended frame. The same function can be accomplished by wrapping the wire I0 around the junction of the ends l-I, through the rivet holes and omitting the rivets 5 and 6, as in Fig. 4. Other simple means of preventing the extended frame from collapsing will be obvious to those skilled in the art.

In forming a package in accordance with this invention, a collapsed frame, as in Fig. 3, of the proper dimension is chosen and extended, as in Fig. 1 or 2, and centrally located on top of a sheet of Cellophane. The cut fiowers or contents of the package are then placed within the frame on the sheet of Cellophane, which is then wrapped around the extended frame and the ends folded in the conventional manner; the tabs II and I2 thus formed are secured by adhesive tape or in any other suitable manner. In the case of cut flowers, the finished and sealed package may be ornamented by an encircling ribbon. The enclosing sheet of Cellophane or other wrapping material together with the wire I prevents the collapse of the frame, the package thus formed having the stability of a light cardboard box or other self sustaining structure.

A package such as Fig. 1 or 2 in transparent Cellophane discloses the contents in a very attractive manner and provides a package that is moisture proof, preventing evaporation from the contents for considerable periods of time. The wire of the sustaining frame may be plated, enamelled, or otherwise treated in harmonizing or contrasting colors to add to the attractiveness of the package.

While the stay wire 1 is a positive stop to prevent collapsing, an expert wrapper can place the encircling Cellophane sheet in such a manner that the completed package, as in Fig. 1, will not collapse if the wire I is omitted. Thus forming the complete packa e is facilitated if the edges of the loops contacting the wrapper are dampened, which causes the Cellophane to adhere and conform to the curve of thewire.

If preferred, the collapsed frame can be inserted into a preformed envelope of Cellophane, then opened upto give a fixed rectangular form to the envelope. The ends can then be tied as in Fig. 4, or the loops adhered to the wrapper as described in the preceding paragraph. This adhesion can be increased by treating the wire loops with a coating having a high coeflicient of friction, such as a solution of caoutchouc or the like, that will maintain an adjusted relation between the frame and the enclosing wrapper.

Having thus described this invention, what is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

A package comprising a pair of continuous rectangular Wire loops arranged so that their sides are disposed in parallel relation and their ends are crossed, rivets passing through the intersections of said crossed ends and pivoting said loops together, a non-extensible stay member attached to two of said sides intermediate said ends whereby to limit the movement of said loops relative to each other on said pivots and thus to form a comparatively rigid frame, and a transparent wrapper encircling said sides and folded over said ends.

PERCY P. SANFORD. 

